Latest

St. Joseph QB 1 Anthony Giagunto looks to throw during the first
half. Friday December 3 2010 St. Joseph Hammonton / St. Mary
Rutherford Non- Public Group I/II Championship at Rutgers Stadium,
New Brunswick. (The Press of Atlantic City / Ben Fogletto)

High school football preview: St. Joseph

St. Joseph QB 1 Anthony Giagunto looks to throw during the first
half. Friday December 3 2010 St. Joseph Hammonton / St. Mary
Rutherford Non- Public Group I/II Championship at Rutgers Stadium,
New Brunswick. (The Press of Atlantic City / Ben Fogletto)

The St. Joseph High School football team is famous for how hard
it prepares for each season.

This year, Wildcats fullback Eli Pogue says coach Paul Sacco is
pushing the team even more. That's because this could be one of the
best teams in St. Joe's illustrious history.

"I feel like this year coach Sacco has a higher expectation for
us," Pogue said.

That's saying something because few teams in New Jersey can
match St. Joe's tradition of excellence. The Wildcats finished 10-1
and won the state Non-Public II title last year. They have won 13
state championships since private schools began playing for state
titles in 1993.

This year, St. Joe features a pair of future Division I college
players in defensive ends Kaiwan Lewis and Max Valles.

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Valles is headed to the University of
Virginia. He had 10 sacks and recovered four fumbles last
season.

The 6-2, 225-pound Lewis will attend the University of South
Carolina. He had 79 tackles and six sacks last season.

"They're anchoring both sides of the defense," Sacco said. "I'm
sure teams will game plan to beat them."

On offense, St. Joe usually relies on the run combined with some
timely passes. This season will be no different.

Senior running back Kaheem Reynolds rushed for 647 yards and 11
touchdowns as a sophomore but was troubled by a high ankle sprain
last year and finished with just 390 rushing yards. He seems primed
for a productive season this year.

"I think he's due," Sacco said of Reynolds. "This is his last
chance to do it. Hopefully, he'll get it done."

Sacco also expects contributions from former quarterback Darryl
Smith. The senior will start at running back and defensive back
this year.